Multiple Chamber Package

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an openable multiple chamber package. This invention is pertaining to a package comprising at least one divider located between at least two outer walls and connected by at least one edge to enable multiple chambers for complementary consumables that one may wish to separate until time of consumption.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of packaging. This invention presents a package innovation for consumable items. This invention comprising a package that has at least one divider located between at least two outer walls to enable multiple chambers for complementary consumables that one might wish to separate until time of consumption.

2. Prior Art

2013/0040019 published on February 2013 of Koskinen discloses a package containing solid raw material for a beverage, wherein the raw material is packed in a water permeable filter bag and the filter bag is packed in an openable protective package enclosing the bag and having a front wall and a rear wall which are connected at their both vertical edges. The protective package can be opened by forming an opening between the front wall and the rear wall. Both the front wall and the rear wall end at their respective supporting edges at the bottom, and said supporting edges can be brought apart to form a bottom structure to keep the bag upright. At least between the supporting edges, the package material forms a bottom that is liquid tight throughout.

This reference is deficient in that the package containing solid raw material for a beverage is prepackaged in a water permeable filter bag. This means that user cannot vary the amount of solid raw material being consumed. Additionally, there is only a single chamber or space to house the package containing solid raw material, making it impossible to transport an additional ingredient without cross contamination. Additionally, prepackaged infusion bags do not allow adequate space to properly brew larger loose-leaf tea leaves. Also, a true loose-leaf tea experience cannot be achieved as the loose leaf is to be separated from the filter or infusion device until the moment it is to be consumed.

2009/0246324 published on October 2009 of Sluzas discloses an infusion device includes an infusion bag containing tea. A string is attached to the bag and a cover encloses the bag. The cover is perforated at the bottom to permit the user to remove the bag from the cover. The string is also attached to a detachable tab on the cover so that the bag can be drawn back up into the cover after brewing the tea.

This reference is deficient in that the infusion device including an infusion bag containing tea is prepackaged and does not allow the user to vary the amount of tea being consumed. Additionally, prepackaged infusion bags do not allow for enough space to properly brew larger loose-leaf tea leaves. Also, a true loose-leaf tea experience cannot be achieved as the loose leaf is to be separated from the filter or infusion device until the moment it is to be consumed. Additionally, there is only a single infusion bag, making it impossible to transport an additional ingredient without cross contamination. The end user might find this infusion device more difficult to use as it is more complex than typical teabags. Due to the design, the manufacturing of this device would also be more complex.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,879 published on December 2006 of Stemmler discloses a tea bag package including a filter container for a product such as tee, comprising an envelope to be opened, said envelope enclosing the filter container, and a pull element which is associated with the filter container and can be pulled through an opening in the envelope. The envelope comprises an external cover sheet fold, whose overlapping sheet portions are releasably connected to each other, thus to hold the envelope in a closed condition. The cover sheet fold has an opening at its hack. The pull element is formed by a pull element fold and comprises a back which can be grasped as a grip member in the opening of the cover element fold. The pull element fold or its sheet portions basically shield the opening in a closed condition of the envelope. The filter container is designed to be foldable in its center at its longitudinal side, namely with the edge ends being contiguous with the pull element fold and being spaced apart from the free edge ends of the pull element fold.

This reference is deficient in that the contents of the filter container are fully enclosed within the filter container and because of this cannot be modified to adjust the amount of product being consumed. Additionally, prepackaged filter containers do not allow for enough space to properly brew larger loose-leaf tea leaves. Also, a true loose-leaf tea experience cannot be achieved as the loose leaf is to be separated from the filter container or infusion device until the moment it is to be consumed. Additionally, there is only a single filter container, making it impossible to transport an additional ingredient without cross contamination. The end user might find this infusion device more difficult to use as it is more complex than typical teabags. Due to the design, the manufacturing of this device would also be more complex.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,449,186 published May 2013 of Bray discloses a device having multiple resealable compartments for food storage. The device is formed as a single unit and is comprised of several resealable compartments. Depending on the embodiments the number, shape, and position of these compartments varies.

This reference is deficient in that the integrity of certain ingredients like that of tea would be compromised with the use of high clarity polypropylene plastic and high clarity polypropylene plastic is not ideal for tea packaging or extended shelf life storage as tea is required to be stored in dark, metal or foil lined containers to maintain its full integrity.

Fully sealed bags formed of a permeable layer and prepackaged with dry ingredient(s) intended for infusion in a liquid commonly referred to as teabags or infusion pouches have been used for years. These fully sealed permeable bags are normally packaged in an outer protective rectangular or square envelope enabling self-service, portability, and the ability to combine said individual envelopes into a larger container for sale of more than one individual unit at a time. This example is most prominent in the tea industry.

Additionally, the outer envelopes or pouches have been standardized to accommodate an enclosed permeable bag. These outer envelopes wrap around the permeable prepackaged bag creating a single compartment to house the permeable prepackaged bag (ex. teabags or infusion pouches) for convenient distribution.

In regard to the tea industry, loose-leaf tea is sold in a variety of bag sizes but lacks a way to infuse the tea in one convenient disposable package as a separate filter or infuser is typically required for minimal particle infusion, adequate expansion space, and flavor preservation. In the industry, loose-leaf tea servings are not individually wrapped in tea bags and filters and/or infusers are not part of the traditional packaging. The need for a filter or infuser while infusing loose-leaf tea is important. For example, over-steeping can result in undesirable changes to the flavor profile including bitterness. As such, loose-leaf tea is traditionally not packaged for convenient single serve use making difficult to combine into a larger container for resale of individual single serve units. If loose-leaf tea is packaged into single serve units, the need for a filter or infuser still prevails.

As loose-leaf tea leaves tend to be larger in size, current smaller permeable bags cannot house enough loose-leaf tea required for adequate brewing within current industry standard form factors and cannot accommodate full leaf expansion upon brewing.

Additionally, loose-leaf tea should be separated from a filter or bag until moment of consumption in order to maintain leaf integrity while providing a true loose-leaf user experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an openable multiple chamber package. This invention is pertaining to a package comprising at least one divider located between at least two outer walls and connected by at least one edge to enable multiple chambers for complementary consumables that one may wish to separate until time of consumption.

A method of making a multiple chamber package comprising the steps of layering two outer walls parallel to each other, inserting one or more dividers between the outer walls, sealing at least one edge of the multiple chamber package by hand, mechanical, chemical, thermal and/or other forced means, inserting at least one ingredient into each chamber, then sealing any remaining edges of the multiple chamber package by hand, mechanical, chemical, thermal and/or other forced means to create a fully sealed perimeter, and labeling the multiple chamber package if desired.

A method of using a multiple chamber package comprising the steps of opening at least one edge of the multiple chamber package, removing ingredient one (empty tea filter) from chamber of the multiple chamber package, combining ingredient two (loose-leaf tea) from separate chamber of the multiple chamber package into ingredient one (empty tea filter), and inserting filter with tea into liquid for infusion for desired amount of time by end user.

One goal within the tea industry is to enable convenient self service of loose leaf tea with a filtering mechanism in a single multiple chamber disposable package consisting of small amounts of packaging material so that individuals can have the convenience of a traditional teabag with the quality offered by loose-leaf tea while maintaining a similar form factor and familiar user experience to that of traditional single tea bag service. The multiple chamber package will provide all of this and will also enable the distribution of these packages in a similar fashion as currently experienced in conventional boxed retail distribution.

Traditional teabags allow for small to fine particles of tea (as compared to loose-leaf tea leaf sizes) to be prepackaged in a fully enclosed permeable teabag then wrapped in a protective outer package with a single chamber. This current form factor and practice is prohibitive of a true loose-leaf tea experience as loose-leaf tea leaves tend to be larger in size, current smaller permeable bags cannot house enough required loose-leaf tea for adequate brewing within current industry standard form factors due to larger leaf size and cannot accommodate full leaf expansion upon brewing.

Within the tea industry the multiple chamber package would enable the accompaniment of larger disposable filters required for proper infusion of larger loose product requiring additional space for proper infusion and expansion and as the loose-leaf tea is riot prepackaged in a teabag, is not combined with the filter until time of consumption, it would maintain the integrity of the leaves and flavor profiles of the loose-leaf tea while allowing the user to have a true loose-leaf brewing experience in a convenient, easy use, single serve, self-serve, portable, all-inclusive package.

Additionally, this multiple chamber package would also enable the user the ability to modify the amount of product he/she wishes to consume, an option not readily available when using traditional teabags all while requiring minimal packaging material.

This invention would also enable the packaging of larger loose-leaf teas and larger loose product, translating to the ability to package higher quality ingredients, ingredients with deeper flavor profiles, and would eliminate the need to crush larger leaf teas or ingredients to fit current teabag profiles which if done, would compromise the integrity of the tea.

Additional use cases would expand to complementary consumables that one may wish to separate until time of consumption and allow one to minimize or eliminate cross contamination of ingredients until user allows them to combine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of the overall multiple chamber package from a frontal view;

FIG. 2 is a drawing of the overall multiple chamber package from a rear view;

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an exploded view comprising at least one divider positioned in between two outer walls wherein letter a illustrates the outer walls and letter b illustrates the divider;

FIG. 4 is a drawing of the edges where the multiple chamber package could be sealed wherein the sealed edges are illustrated by letter c but are illustrative and not to scale;

FIG. 5 is a drawing of the overall package from a side view wherein at least one sealed edge is represented by letter d;

FIG. 6 is a drawing of an open edge view of two chambers and a divider wherein letter e illustrates the chambers and letter f illustrates the divider.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an openable multiple chamber package. This invention is pertaining to a package comprising at least one divider located between at least two outer walls and connected by at least one edge to enable multiple chambers for complementary consumables that one may wish to separate until time of consumption.

Section 1. Definitions

1. Loose-leaf tea means large dried tea leaves and/or herbs sold in a container rather than in individual tea bags, individual infusion bags or individual sachets with characteristics of larger leaf expansion upon brewing. It is meant to remain separate from filter or infusion device until time of consumption. It also refers to teas having the characteristic of a larger tea leaf size indicating a higher quality of tea.

2. Ingredient means any single element of which one may wish to use or consume including but not limited to:

-   -   a.) filter;     -   b.) tea;     -   c.) herb;     -   d.) spice;     -   e.) salt;     -   f.) pepper;     -   g.) nut;     -   h.) bolt; and     -   i.) powder.

Section 2. Best Mode of the Invention

The best mode of the multiple chamber package is illustrated in FIG. 3.

Section 3. How to Make the Invention

A method of making a multiple chamber package comprising the steps of layering two outer walls parallel to each other either by hand or mechanically, then inserting one or more dividers to create additional chambers between the outer walls either by hand or mechanically, sealing at least one edge of the multiple chamber package by hand, mechanical, chemical, thermal and/or other forced means, inserting at least one ingredient into each chamber either by hand or mechanically, sealing any remaining edges of the multiple chamber package by hand, mechanical, chemical, thermal and/or other forced means to create a fully sealed perimeter to keep ingredients contained; and labeling the multiple chamber package if desired. Additionally, the multiple package wall and divider materials may be printed on or labeled as desired before, during, or after production. At least one tear notch or score for end user opening convenience may be added at any stage.

An inner layer will comprise at least one shared wall surface between the chambers.

At least one divider comprising a layer of material will contact at least one edge to separate each chamber.

The multiple chamber package comprising soft-sided or hard-sided materials for manufacture.

The multiple chamber package comprising at least one resealable edge if desired.

This multiple chamber package is meant to enable the separation of at least two different contents, as they will be separately housed in their respective chambers. Additional dividers could be introduced to accommodate the creation of additional chambers wherein multiple inserted dividers will follow insertion pattern of initial divider.

The multiple chamber package further comprising soft-sided or hard-sided materials for manufacture may vary in thickness and materials.

Enabling the ability to stack on top of each other when referring to standard industry packaging and dispensing.

Additionally, this invention is not restricted solely to the embodiment demonstrated in the drawings. For example, shape variations of the multiple chamber package comprising such shapes as tube, cone, pyramid, elongated rectangle, square, diamond, U shape, oval, circle or any shape including shapes with rounded corners that could be used for branding or advertising or logos or fanciful design for using of the invention and various shape embodiments wherein opposite and adjacent sides could be opened independently without accessing the other chamber(s).

Section 4. How to Use the Invention

The openable multiple chamber package can house multiple complementary consumables that one may wish to separate until time of consumption allowing for ingredient separation until end user consumption.

One may use a multiple chamber package comprising the steps of opening at least one edge or surface of the multiple chamber package wherein access will be granted to at least one chamber, then removing ingredient one from chamber of the multiple chamber package, combining ingredient two from separate chamber of the multiple chamber package into ingredient one and combining the ingredients.

Section 5. Example

An example of use in the tea industry is to fill a pre-determined amount of loose product or ingredient one on one compartment side and a filter or ingredient two on the adjacent side by either mechanical or by hand and seal the package by hand, chemical, thermal, or other forced means for later use. The idea is to have the end user later open the multiple chamber package, remove the filter, and load the product in the filter to ready it for infusion. Additionally, the end user may choose to modify how much of an ingredient to use in certain cases.

Additionally, this invention is not restricted solely to the embodiment demonstrated in the drawings. For example, shape variations of the multiple chamber package comprising such shapes as tube, cone, pyramid, elongated rectangle, square, diamond, U shape, oval, circle or any shape including shapes with rounded corners that could be used for branding or advertising or logos or fanciful design for using of the invention and various shape embodiments wherein opposite and adjacent sides could be opened independently without accessing the other chamber(s).

Additional chambers for multiple service applications of additional complementary consumables may be layered on as part of this invention.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 drawings note frontal view and rear view and these descriptions are not intended to be limiting in regard to the multiple chamber package's orientation and are meant for drawing clarification purposes only. Outer walls can be in any orientation desired to achieve ideal user facing experience.

Additional use eases would expand to complementary consumable ingredients that one may wish to separate until time of consumption and allow one to minimize or eliminate cross contamination of ingredients until user allows them to combine. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multiple chamber package comprising: a.) two outer walls; b.) one or more dividers; and c.) is connected by at least one edge.
 2. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising sealed edges wherein said edges may be sealed by hand, mechanical, chemical, thermal and/or other forced means.
 3. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising edges wherein sealed edges should sufficiently keep ingredients contained.
 4. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising at least one edge or surface can be opened.
 5. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising outer walls and at least one divider that may be printed on or labeled as desired before, during, or after production.
 6. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising at least one divider comprising a layer of material that will contact at least one edge to separate each chamber.
 7. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising at least one divider wherein one or more dividers may be inserted to create additional chambers.
 8. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising at least one divider wherein multiple inserted dividers will follow insertion pattern of initial divider.
 9. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising multiple chambers wherein upon opening said package, access will be granted to at least one chamber.
 10. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising various shapes including: a. tube; b. cone; c. pyramid; d. elongated rectangle; e. square; f. diamond; g. U shape; h. oval; i. circle; j. any shapes with rounded corners; k. any shape that could be used for branding or advertising or logos or fanciful design for using of the invention; and wherein a divider is inserted to create at least one separate chamber.
 11. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising various shape embodiments wherein opposite and adjacent sides could be opened independently without accessing the other chamber(s).
 12. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising soft-sided or hard-sided materials.
 13. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising at least one resealable edge if desired.
 14. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising the ability to fill contents by hand or mechanically.
 15. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising the ability to be manufactured by hand or mechanically.
 16. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising the ability to stack on top of each other when referring to standard industry packaging and dispensing.
 17. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising additional use cases expanding to other complementary consumables or ingredients other than tea that one may wish to separate until time of consumption.
 18. The multiple chamber package of claim 1 further comprising the ability to incorporate at least one tear notch or score for end user opening convenience that may be added at any stage.
 19. A method of making a multiple chamber package comprising the steps of: layering two outer walls parallel to each other; inserting one or more dividers between the outer walls; sealing at least one edge of the multiple chamber package by hand, mechanical, chemical, thermal and/or other forced means; inserting at least one ingredient into each chamber; sealing any remaining edges of the multiple chamber package to create a fully sealed perimeter; and labeling the multiple chamber package if desired.
 20. The method of making a multiple chamber package of claim 19 further comprising at least one divider comprising a layer of material that will contact at least one edge to separate each chamber.
 21. The method of making a multiple chamber package of claim 19 further comprising at least one divider wherein one or more dividers may be inserted to create additional chambers.
 22. The method of making a multiple chamber package of claim 19 further comprising sealed edges wherein said edges may be sealed by hand, mechanical, chemical, thermal and/or other forced means.
 23. The method of making a multiple chamber package of claim 19 further comprising the ability to be manufactured by hand or mechanically.
 24. The method of making a multiple chamber package of claim 19 further comprising the ability to incorporate at least one tear notch or score for end user opening convenience that may be added at any stage.
 25. The method of making a multiple chamber package of claim 19 further comprising outer walls at least one divider that may be printed on or labeled as desired before, during, or after production.
 26. The method of making a multiple chamber package of claim 19 further comprising shape variations of the multiple chamber package, such shapes as tube, cone, pyramid, elongated rectangle, square, diamond, U shape, oval, circle or any shape including shapes with rounded corners that could be used for branding or advertising or logos or fanciful design for using of the invention and various shape embodiments wherein opposite and adjacent sides could be opened independently without accessing the other chamber(s).
 27. A method of using a multiple chamber package comprising the steps of: opening at least one edge or surface of the multiple chamber package; removing ingredient one from chamber of the multiple chamber package; combining ingredient two from separate chamber of the multiple chamber package into ingredient one; and combining the ingredients to achieve desired outcome.
 28. The method of using a multiple chamber package of claim 27 further comprising at least one edge or surface can be opened.
 29. The method of using a multiple chamber package of claim 27 further comprising additional use cases expanding to other complementary consumables or ingredients other than tea that one may wish to separate until time of consumption. 